Amandaland had a lot to live up to as the spin-off of one of BBC’s most beloved comedies – Sharon Horgan’s Motherland – and happily, it’s risen to the challenge.
After months of anticipation, the first episode finally aired and within it, Amanda, played by 47-year-old Lucy Punch, gets straight to navigating a new era post-divorce in a downsized north-west London home.
The series begins with Amanda giving her now much older children Manus and Georgie a pep talk as she dropped them at their new school. We then watch her grapple to get in with the ‘cool parents’, while another familiar face from Motherland, Anne (Philippa Dunne) patiently waits for her friend to need her again.
The cast also includes Joanna Lumley in the role of Amanda’s mum Felicity, who initially turns up at her house with Waitrose treats, explaining the gift is to bridge a gap ‘now that you’ve only got a Tesco Metro’.
All six episodes have been directed by Simon Bird, who played Will McKenzie in The Inbetweeners and has since turned to TV and film production.
The recognisable humour evident in the scenes has pleased fans who’ve still not fully got over Motherland’s axe in March. The show ran for three seasons and two Christmas specials, first airing in 2016.
‘#AmandaLand was everything I hoped it would be. Chaotic, hilarious and thoroughly enjoyable,’ wrote Shaun on X.
Jemima Hoffan added: ‘Amandaland is so good, one of the funniest things I’ve watched in years.’
‘Everyone is absolutely brilliant but ANNE steals the absolute f*****g show!!!’ decided Sam.
‘I’m sorry but #Amandaland legit killed me off… I thought after #Motherland ended I wouldn’t bother but omg seriously #LucyPunch and #PhilippaDunne together are iconic,’ weighed in Casey Atlanta.
Now that viewers have seen the potential, they want more spin-offs with different Motherland characters such as those played by Anna Maxwell Martin and Diane Morgan.
‘Thankful for #Amandaland but let’s make a land for them all. Kevinland next, Lizland after. Just keep them coming I’m sat,’ insisted Sar_Alice.
SueWill1966 took full advantage of all the episodes being on BBC iPlayer and ‘binge watched’ all six parts.
‘Didn’t think I would like it without the rest of the #Motherland cast but was surprised at how funny it was,’ she summarised and requested another series.
However, others deciphered that it wasn’t able to live up to its predecessor. ‘Enjoyable but I kinda wish they had just done another series of Motherland,’ wrote John. ‘Nice to have some of the old crew back for #Amandaland and there were 2 or 3 really hilarious lines but slightly disappointing overall. Please. Bring back Motherland,’ said MarcBarham.
Motherland was acclaimed throughout its run and was called a ‘masterpiece’ by fans for finding funny ways to depict motherhood in an honest and frank way. It won the Bafta for best scripted comedy in 2022.
Amandaland is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
BBC spin-off is called ‘funniest show in years’ by delighted fans